More cuts for Gripen

09 May, 2006

SOURCE: Flight International

London

The Swedish air force appears set to have its Saab JAS39 Gripen fleet reduced by a further 60 aircraft under a proposed new round of national defence cuts. “Steps will be taken in order to eventually reduce the fighter fleet to 100 JAS Gripen versions C and D, suitable for international operations,” says an armed forces statement released late last month.

In addition to again reducing the size of the Gripen fleet from an original 204 aircraft order, another element of the defence review will cover the acquisition of strategic airlifters to support transport, evacuation and humanitarian response activities.